Horse World

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Deciding to buy a horse is a large commitment; especially if this is the first horse you have ever considered buying.

Before you jump into buying the first horse you see, you should make sure you know what you are looking for. 

There are specific considerations you should be asking about and also lots of changes you should be making to your home and family life in order to ensure you get the perfect horse when you are ready for it.

Buying a horse is a huge commitment to make, and you should ensure you take off those rose colored spectacles and think about the work involved in caring for him.

The first thing you will have to consider before buying your horse is how you are going to accommodate it and decide where he will live.

He will need room, preferably a pasture, to be able to run and play. This pasture should then be fenced off with a specific type of fence; preferably one that you know won’t hurt your horse. You may have the land to do this at home, but many people find they have to find a home for their horse which is rented.

You may also need to make the decision as to whether to put your horse on full livery (where he is looked after full time by other people), or whether to care for him yourself. If you are a novice with horses, full livery is probably your best option though can be very expensive.

It’s important your horse gets the exercise he needs everyday, and a large field in which he can run gives him the opportunity to do so.

Your horse will also need a space for shelter in case the weather is bad.  A stable or barn that is enclosed and they can also reach easily is a good choice. 

You will also need to consider the supplies your horse will continuously need, such as grains, hay, water and salt. These are continuous expenses that come as part of owning a horse, and need to be looked into before you buy him. 

Also remember you will need the correct riding materials.  This not only includes things such as saddles and reins, but also grooming supplies to make sure your horse stays healthy. 

When looking at horses, you will notice each animal will have different characteristics. Horses are individual creatures that have their own temperament just as humans do. Therefore buying a specific breed of horse which has had desirable characteristics bred into it is a good idea. You can narrow your search by knowing the differences in characteristics that apply to each breed.

Experts suggest if you are a beginner at riding and owning horses, then it is better to get an older horse, as they usually have a calmer temperament. These types of horse are known as schoolmasters and are usually very safe to ride.

Once you have determined the characteristics of the horse you want, you can begin looking at specific horses to buy. When looking at the horse of your choice, you should make sure you not only know it’s age and character, but also know what it has been used for in the past. 

Then you should ask if it is afraid of certain things or if it reacts certain ways when certain things happen. Such as when riding on the road, does he spook at passing traffic etc. Knowing it’s habits and reactions are important when buying any horse but especially your first one as you are bound to be nervous.

You will also need to ensure the horse is healthy before you buy it Otherwise you may find yourself landed with very heavy Vet’s bills. This can be done by a process which is called “Vetting”, where for a for a fee a Vet will come and check the horse you want to buy for any defects. Having a prospective horse vetted is a must as it will help save you from making expensive mistakes.

Horse riding is fun and can be a very beneficial exercise.  Make sure you take all precautions before buying and you’ll ensure you have a long and happy relationship with your new horse

Previous Articles By This Author

• Equipment for Horses
• Basics of Horse Care
• Grooming your Horse
• The History of Horses
• Keeping your Horse Healthy